Products for clogged drains can be found in most stores, but most of these products include harsh chemicals that may damage your plumbing system.
If you are a resident of Maine and have a clogged sink, shower or bathtub, there are alternatives. You can skip a trip to the store and head to the kitchen, as tsome of he best tools to deal with clogs are likely in your cabinets.
A word of warning, the following suggestions will not unclog a serious grease buildup. If a drain becomes clogged with thick grease, the only solution is to call a professional, like Plumbers 911 Maine where you will be referred to a licensed plumbing contractor who can dispatch a skilled plumber to fix the problem.
For basic drain clogs, try these four natural solutions. However, if they do not work, call Plumbers 911 Maine for professional help.
1. Pour boiling water down the clogged drain
One simple way that may clean a clog is to pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. You can also add a few squirts of dish soap to help loosen the clog. This works well for minor grease clogs. The hot water, combined with a grease eating dish soap, will cut through the grease and reduce or remove the clog. This is also great at dislodging soap and other gunk that might be built-up in the pipes.
2. Salt and baking soda mixture
Salt mixed with baking soda can also effectively remove some drain clogs. Pour a 50/50 concoction of salt and baking soda down the drain. Wait 20 minutes, and follow this up with a pot of boiling water. All three elements create a chemical reaction that may fix some stubborn clogs.
3. Vinegar and baking soda
Pour some baking soda down the drain. Follow that with a liberal dose of vinegar and watch as the mixture creates a caustic reaction that fizzes and may push the gunk clog down your drain. Let this remedy sit for about an hour to work its way through the pipes. Follow this up with a pot of boiling water
4. Salt, baking soda, vinegar and Borax
If the drain is still clogged, here is one last solution before you call a plumber. Pour a quarter cup each of salt, baking soda, vinegar and Borax down the drain. Let it work for about an hour and then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.
Still clogged? Call a Maine plumber!
One or more of these four techniques may fix a clogged drain. But if they are not powerful enough or it only partially solved the problem, it is time to reach for the phone and call Plumbers 911 Maine for a referral to a professional plumbing contractor.
Plumbers 911 is a network of plumbing contractors who will send a licensed, bonded and insured plumber to your house to unclog your drain or other plumbing emergencies.